What's Up Docs?
In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves. Although they are identical twins, Chris and Xand are very different and they never stop thinking and arguing about science and health. They want to lead healthy, happy lives and as doctors, they want this for everyone. Yet they tussle over how best to get there. When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. Medicine and science produce amazing new treatments and diagnostics every day and we are bombarded with so many headlines and pieces of advice; but how are we supposed to know what's really best for us and then successfully apply it to our lives? Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken embrace this challenge; even as they marvel at the scientific breakthroughs, they grapple with the competing claims about health, wellbeing and how to live. From understanding testosterone therapies to microplastics in our diets, and the concept of 'hangriness' to the power of saying no - this podcast deals with the health stresses we all face every day, while taking on board how the decisions by corporations and governments affect all our health. Each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest research, psychological insights, and data, to help listeners navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. They talk about the trials and tribulations in their own lives in their characteristically witty way - each teasing the other as they search for solutions. Xand has trouble sleeping , Chris has noisy knees, one of them has got an embarrassing itch. They have different ways of looking at things and find it really helpful to get the other one's point of view. These doctors are trying their best and encouraging listeners to do the same. Email: [email protected] Whatsapp: 08000 665123 A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
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Recent Episodes
Doctors' Notes: Dopamine
Dec 09, 2025Chris and Xand continue their conversation about dopamine with Masud Husain, Professor of Neurology & Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Oxford. They explore how he first became interested in...
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Dr. Chris and Dr. Zand Van Tulleken interview Professor Masoud Hussain, a neurologist and professor of neurology and cognitive neuroscience at Oxford, about dopamine - what it is, how it works, and its role in motivation and reward. The discussion explores how dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter, its connection to motivation rather than pleasure itself, and what happens when dopamine systems malfunction in conditions like Parkinson's disease. The conversation challenges popular wellness culture misconceptions about 'dopamine hits' and reveals how dopamine deficiency can lead to profound apathy, while over-treatment can cause impulsive behaviors.
- The Patient Who Lost All Motivation
- Beyond Basic Rewards: The Limits of Dopamine Research
Can you be ‘addicted to dopamine’?
Dec 09, 2025Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken untangle the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they’re ...
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Dr Chris and Dr Zand explore the science of dopamine with neuroscientist Professor Masood Hussain, debunking popular myths about 'dopamine hits' and 'dopamine detoxes' while examining how this neurotransmitter actually functions in motivation, reward, and behavior. The discussion reveals the gap between social media narratives and scientific evidence, ultimately providing a more nuanced understanding of brain chemistry and human agency.
- The Dopamine Debate: Social Media vs Science
- What Dopamine Actually Is: The Basics
Doctors' Notes: Beliefs
Dec 02, 2025Chris and Xand continue their conversation about belief with Ryan McKay, Professor of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. They want to know why some beliefs take hold so strongly, wha...
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Professor Ryan McKay, a psychology professor at Royal Holloway University of London, discusses the nature of human beliefs, their emotional underpinnings, and why changing our minds is so difficult. The conversation explores how beliefs are shaped by social contexts, the difference between clinical delusions and everyday beliefs, cognitive biases that affect our thinking, and practical strategies for helping people update their beliefs without causing emotional distress.
- Ryan McKay's Journey to Studying Belief
- Understanding Delusions: Clinical vs Everyday Beliefs
Can we change what we believe about our bodies?
Dec 02, 2025Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken confront the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they’re ...
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Dr. Chris and Dr. Zand explore the complex world of belief and its profound impact on health and wellbeing. Joined by Professor Ryan McKay from Royal Holloway University, they examine how beliefs form, why they're so hard to change, and how they directly affect our physical experiences. The discussion covers everything from the placebo effect to self-signaling, revealing how beliefs function both as maps of reality and as social identities. The episode concludes with an unexpected experiment in wellness trends—a screaming session that yields surprising results.
- The Nature and Formation of Beliefs
- Why False Beliefs Persist: The Ultra-Processed Belief Analogy
Doctors' Notes: Dry Skin
Nov 25, 2025Drs Chris and Xand continue their conversation about dry skin with Dr Tess McPherson, Associate Professor of Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at the University of Oxford. The docs want to know w...
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Dr. Chris and Dr. Xand Van Tulleken sit down with Dr. Tess McPherson, a consultant dermatologist specializing in pediatric and adolescent skin conditions, for an in-depth discussion about eczema management. The conversation covers the science behind eczema flares, the proper use of topical steroids, the problematic trend of complex skincare routines in young children, and practical advice for managing atopic dermatitis. Dr. McPherson emphasizes that the most common cause of eczema flares is simply the condition itself, not external triggers, and advocates for confident, evidence-based treatment approaches.
- The Rise of Skincare Culture in Young Children
- Understanding Acne and Effective Over-the-Counter Treatments
How should you relieve dry skin?
Nov 25, 2025Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Chris...
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Dr. Zand and Dr. Chris explore the science of dry skin and skincare with consultant dermatologist Professor Tess McPherson. They cut through the marketing confusion of the beauty industry to reveal what actually works: simple, affordable routines focused on skin health rather than perfection. The episode covers washing, moisturizing, the role of emollients, and addresses how societal pressures and marketing create unrealistic skin ideals while emphasizing that healthy skin comes in all types and colors.
- Understanding Dry Skin and Skin Barriers
- The Truth About Washing and Soap
Doctors' Notes: Hot and Cold Therapies
Nov 18, 2025Chris and Xand continue their conversation about body temperature with Dr Heather Massey, Associate Professor of extreme environments and physiology at the University of Portsmouth. Drs Chris and Xan...
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Dr. Chris and Dr. Zahn van Tulleken speak with Dr. Heather Massey, an Associate Professor of Extreme Environments at Portsmouth University, about the science and personal experience of cold water swimming. Heather, herself a cold water swimmer and ice swimming world championship competitor, discusses the physiological responses to cold water immersion, the safety considerations, and the potential benefits while maintaining a refreshingly balanced perspective that cold water swimming isn't for everyone.
- Introduction to Cold Water Swimming and Heather's Background
- Heather's Personal Cold Water Swimming Practice